British FMD tests prove negative

British livestock farmers can breathe again, as tests for foot-and-mouth
disease (FMD) and swine vesicular disease at an abattoir in Essex, England, have
proved negative.

The British farm ministry Defra announced these results earlier this
week.

"Further negative laboratory test results tonight for FMD and swine vesicular disease mean that restrictions have been lifted on the
slaughterhouse in Essex, and the farm the pigs originated from. The 8 km radius
zone surrounding the slaughterhouse has also been removed," Defra said.

Swift

"The swift response of the State Veterinary Service, Meat Hygiene Service,
and Institute for Animal Health and the subsequent handling of this suspect case
has demonstrated the strength of our contingency plan, and our partnership with
the industry."

The Essex site was quarantined after the possible discovery, Thursday
night. First tests carried out by the Institute for Animal Health had already
suggested the disease wasn't FMD.

Unclear is what disease eventually was the cause of the infection in
Essex.